Monthly Archives: July 2012

I was right, wasn’t I? This episode wasn’t quite the same without Sticky&Sam, although the fact Lucy&Emilia got a lot of screen time certainly made the transition easier. And funnier.

All teams caught the same flight to Vancouver, Canada, where Paul&Steve and The Cops decided to go for the only Fast Forward of the Race. Both teams knew whoever got a cab first will eventually take the Fast Forward. Shane&Andrew have never had any luck with taxis so far, so sadly it was Paul&Steve who got a cab first, completed the Fast Forward (which required them to pose nude) and made it to the Pit Stop in first place. Paul bragged about it and was as unlikable as always – so nothing new there. I guess the only good thing to come out of this is that we didn’t have to watch them for the entire episode.

The first challenge the teams faced was to decipher a nautical phrase using the International Maritime Signal Flags. Lucy&Emilia were, of course, hilarious: ‘<Beam me up, Scotty!> is not a nautical phrase’, is what Lucy said at one point. They struggled a bit with the challenge, though not as much as James&Sarah, who had already gotten a rough start to the day.

The Detour (a choice between Tumble and Toss) didn’t affect any of the teams’ placements with the exception of Shane&Andrew. On that note, I’m really impressed with how far they’ve come – I never expected them to make it past the midpoint and they’ve also grown on me over the past few legs. Also worth mentioning about the Detour is the fact it showed yet again what a beautiful relationship Lucy and Emilia have. Lucy was virtually useless at the Detour (she managed to fell in the water after only putting one feet on the log), yet Emilia was nothing but encouraging and positive about it. She didn’t seem to be bothered at all. They’re amazing!

The Roadblock posed some problems for the Italian sisters and Joseph&Grace, but in the end they didn’t matter, as Sarah&James couldn’t make up the time lost during the leg or compensate for their lack of money. They arrived at the Pit Stop in last place and were eliminated. I’ve had mixed feelings about them the entire season. For the most part, I thought Sarah was irrational and crazy and I wasn’t impressed by their bickering and fighting. However, there were times when I felt sympathetic towards them or when I thought ‘Sarah isn’t all that bad…’ and this episode was one of them. I actually was a little sad when they were eliminated, but it came down to them and the Italian sisters, so overall I was more than pleased with the outcome. (And I loved their mini speech about how they’re going to know each other until they’re 85 and all, cause I’m pretty sure I read last week that they’ve broken up already.)

Now we have a three week wait before the next episode, courtesy of the Summer Olympics. Further proof that sports are bad.

Like this:

Unbelievable. Another one of my grim premonitions turns true as we lose Sticky&Sam on The Amazing Race: Australia. Not only that, but with Lucy&Emilia being the only team from my original three selections still in the Race, I’d say the chances of having someone to truly root for in the Final Three are pretty slim. The preview scenes for next week show Lucy having a breakdown, so I’m open to the devastating possibility of losing my three favorite teams in a row. Which would be terrible.

But back to Sticky&Sam. I’m incredibly sad, disappointed and frustrated. Why did they have to get lost? Why didn’t they ask for directions sooner? Why did they have to get lost in Paris? Why couldn’t someone else screw up, like Paul&Steve? Now they have the best shot at winning, which would really put a damper on this season. I always thought Sticky&Sam would at least make the Final Four, so I never worried much about them – this makes their elimination a little harder to accept. The remainder of the Race will not be the same without these two, that’s a fact.

I could go on for a few paragraphs about how this is unfair, but I don’t see the point. Besides, I’m putting that energy to good use: hoping and praying they’re brought back in the event of an All-Stars season. I mean… they have to come back, right?

In the meanwhile… go Lucy&Emilia!

Sticky&Sam being eliminated!

P.S. The fact I didn’t collect a quote from the episode for the title can mostly be attributed to the anxiety that took over me a few minutes into the show.

In the most bizarre twist of fate, Sticky&Sam managed to fall at the back of the pack, being surpassed by even Sarah&James. Since they left the airport in Cuba after Sarah&James, I’m pretty sure they’ll be starting the second half of this Double Leg in last place… They’re a strong team and based on past performances the logical thing to assume is that they’ll be able to make up the lost time. However, I have a bad feeling about the next episode. They cannot, it simply CANNOT happen that they are eliminated next. Sticky&Sam have to make it to at least the final four, cause if they don’t, I’m not sure any of my Ideal Top Three teams will make it to the Top Three. And it would be just sad to lose two teams I love in a row. Fingers crossed neither them, nor Lucy&Emilia go next week!

It’s interesting most of the episodes don’t follow the exact format that we’ve been used to. Legs with either a Detour or a Roadblock, mid-leg flights, more miscellaneous tasks – it’s all contributing to this version of the show to have a more stand-out feel to it. Plus, this way you never know what to expect from a leg.

I’m dying to see what happens next week! To recap, the episode ended after Paul&Steve (sigh!) and the twins checked in at the fake Pit Stop and everyone else being in a lot of trouble. Shane&Andrew’s car died. Lucy&Emilia’s car stopped on what looked to be a railway track. Smoke was coming out of Joseph&Grace’s car. Sticky&Sam seemed lost (God, I hope they don’t get eliminated next week). And what’s with the clue instructing teams to go to Australia? It appears next week’s episode will be yet another great one.

Like this:

So, we’ve lost Ross&Tarryn. I knew it was coming ever since the Intersection – Sarah had been way too happy in her post-leg interview. It was sad seeing them go, but on the bright side, I’ve had all my three favorite teams make it for ½ of the Race. Tarryn&Ross had also won a leg before, so it’s not even like they’re leaving empty handed. They’re amazing & I want them for the All-Stars version! Whenever that may be.

Other than that, the episode was slow paced with no power shifts, yet funnier than most. Lucy&Emilia were, as always, hilarious and Shane&Andrew had a nice, heart-warming moment with a 3 years old. They’re starting to grow on me, as do the twins. I have massive respect for them and I wouldn’t mind them sticking around until the final legs. I’ve enjoyed seeing the Yield tremendously – it was always one of my favorite twists. I don’t think we’ve ever had a Double-Yield, but I’d be curious to see how that would work.

On the other end of the spectrum, Paul is still the person I despise the most out of all contestants. There is a real possibility he and Steve make it to the Final Three, I’m sorry to say. And it’s terrifying. I cannot hope and pray enough that they are eliminated next!

Also, I’m done with my exams, so starting next week I should be able to write more detailed posts about the show.